The villagers shuffle around nervously, the sounds of the raiders pillaging the town above them having faded well over an hour ago, the dim flickering light of a single lantern casting it's light on the grim scene. But still, none are willing to be the first to peek out and see if it is safe for them to exit. The heat emanating from the thick doors at the top of the stairwell speak of the fire still close and blazing strong. Children weep in a corner, a few of the older ones trying to keep them all from whaling. Though the danger may be gone, they can not be sure, and the sound of a hysterical child is sure to alert anyone to their presence.

The children outnumber the rescued adults two to one, many parents sacrificing their lives to keep their little ones from harm. The adults either sit around with dead looks in their eyes or move about trying to comfort and aid one another with cuts and burns. Among those injured is an unusual sight in these parts, and indeed something none in the village had ever thought to owe their life to. His breathing slow and ragged the beast man lay unconscious near the children in the corner. The children, the first to be saved and less bothered by things most consider strange, feel a faint comfort having their savior so close. This son of the Moon Raven clan however does not know this. He does not feel their little hands trying to shake him awake every once in a while, nor does he hear the adults shooing them back while they try to tend to him.

The dank little cellar they are hidden away in is not very well maintained, the earth walls and broken shelves give them almost nothing to work with. However, those who still have their wits about them manage to tend to the wounded in short order laving only the long wait until someone screws up the courage to venture forth. Long hours tick by and the stranger does not stir. The little ones seem to one out of tears and eventually their crying leads to sleep. Many curl up right next to Shu and nod of with either a head or a hand on some part of him, taking some incomprehensible comfort in touching him.

Eventually however none need worry about checking to see if the coast is clear for instead the cellar doors are thrown open from the outside, showering the stairwell with the deep orange light of sunset. After the near complete dark many of the villagers recoil just from that, while still overs cry out in fear, thinking it the raiders who have found them. The oldest youth goes so far as to take on of the beastman's blades and takes up a protective stance between the stairs and the other children. To their fortune however it is not the raiders that have found them. As the first soldier reaches the bottom of the stairs the older villagers recognize the kings colors and cry out with joy, scrambling over to her.

The hardened soldier hides her own relief and sorrow at finding them alive. [i]'I'm glad someone survived, but. . . .Is this really it? Are these the only ones?'[/i] Her eyes land on the youth, still holding the blade but now looking less hostile. The soldiers that come down behind her begin helping the rest of the villagers out, but the youth with the weapon tenses as she approaches. A few of the little ones wake and cry, seeing an armed person approaching, making the boy all the more on edge. “It's alright kid, we're from the capitol. We're not raiders, we're here to help, just, put the blade down.” She speaks softly, keeping her eyes on the young man's.

Once she's close enough she carefully takes the weapon away, tucking it in her belt before calling one of the remaining villagers over to help her usher the kids out. She pauses however when she spots the beast man passed out on the ground. When the villager comes to her side she asks, “Who is this? Surely he's not a villager. . . .”

A few of the children reach over and take hold of the man, looking up at the soldier as if they are terrified at him being taken away. The mild aged man, his left arm missing below the elbow from his time as a soldier, looks down at Shu and shakes his head. “No, that there is a very brave man. He came with the raiders, I saw him coming into town with them, but before laying a finger on any of us, he turned on his own. Even took a few hits from some frightened villagers, but still only fought raiders.” He coughs slightly, the dust in the air tickling his throat. “If it weren't for him, I doubt any of us would be alive. . .”

While not unheard of, and indeed the man sounds sincere, the soldier is unsure if to take this story at face value. [i]'The little'uns seem to have taking a liking to him though'[/i] she muses, her eyes running over the many bandages covering the beastman's arms and chest. Some were obviously put there by little hands trying to be helpful. As such, she's sure he's not quite as hurt as he seems. With a nod she gestures for the man to begin helping her remove the children, many going quite reluctantly, until at last only a handful of them remain attached to the stranger. She sends one of her fellows off to inform the king of the situation and to bring more hands. Should this warrior awaken and still be looking for a fight, she wants to be ready.